Technical Data Sheet: Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver and released when its use becomes necessary.

Vitamin D comes in two forms: ergocalciferol (also known as vitamin D2), which is taken with food (the content of vitamin D in food is however very limited and can only be found in some fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna and sardines in oil, cod liver oil, egg yolk, dairy products and fortified foods) and cholecalciferol (also known as vitamin D3), which is synthesized by our body through the absorption of sunrays by the skin and this is the way through which we reach the necessary physiological levels of vitamin D.

By far the best known function of vitamin D is linked to the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus: vitamin D is fundamental in this process; in case of deficiency there are more or less severe problems affecting the skeleton, even in the presence of an adequate calcium intake, from rickets, characteristic in children, to osteomalacia or osteoporosis.

Vitamin D is also crucial for the activation of our immune system: without it, T cells are unable to react and fight pathogens and is able to stimulate the differentiation and activation of macrophages.

The effects of vitamin D on the immune system are:

• inhibition of the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes;
• inhibition of the production of various proinflammatory cytokines, IL-2, IL-12, interferon-γ;
• inhibition of the antigen presentation activity by macrophages;
• stimulation of the bactericidal and phagocytic activity of macrophages.

Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of hypertension, is associated with reduced sensitivity to insulin and with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and it exerts a neuroprotective action; calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) overexpresses the expression in brain tissue of several genes and proteins, including neurotrophins (a family of proteins that determine neuron survival, development and function) as the nerve growth factor that influences neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, neurotrophin-3 which increases synaptic transmission and neurotrophin-4/5 involved in calcium-dependent signal transmission.

Population studies show that vitamin D deficiency is associated with gestational diabetes, predisposes women to develop vaginal infections during pregnancy; furthermore, reduced levels of vitamin D are also associated with premature birth and reduced weight of the newborn.

A vitamin D deficiency could be associated with difficulty walking, weakness and muscle aches, with fat accumulation in the muscle fibers.

In conditions of deficiency, the use of vitamin D-based supplements improves athletic performance, muscle power and reduces the incidence of injuries to the musculoskeletal systems and joints.

Regulatory aspects:

5 µg/day = 100%NRV

NVR = Nutrient reference value according to Reg. UE 1169/2011

Maximum permitted intake: n50 µg/day

Authorized claims:

• Vitamin D contributes to the normal absorption / utilization of calcium and phosphorus
• Vitamin D contributes to normal blood calcium levels
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth
• Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system
• Vitamin D is involved in the cell division process

VITAMIN D3 SUISSENUTRA INGREDIENTS

Vitamin D is available in both oil and powder versions, both of which are food grade according to the formulation needs.

VITAMIN D3 1.000.000 UI/g  OIL

Concentrated cholecalciferol oil of algal origin from lichen (Cladonia rangiferina L.) titrated in 1,000,000 IU / g.

The oil is allergen-free and certified and approved by The Vegan Society.

VITAMIN D3 100.000 UI/g  POWDER

Vitamin D3 titrated in 100,000 IU / g, obtained through the microencapsulation process starting from cholecalciferol oil of algal origin from lichen (Cladonia rangiferina L.).

The powder is allergen-free and certified and approved by The Vegan Society.

Bibliography

• Vitamin D and Immune Function – Nutrients. 2013 Jul; 5(7): 2502–2521. Published online 2013 Jul 5. doi: 10.3390/nu5072502
• Systematic review: Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in prevention of cardiovascular events – Ann Intern Med . 2010 Mar 2;152(5):315-23. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-152-5-201003020-00010
• Hypovitaminosis D is associated with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction -Am J Clin Nutr- 2004 May;79(5):820-5. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/79.5.820.
• Vitamin D Hormone Confers Neuroprotection in Parallel with Downregulation of L-Type Calcium Channel Expression in Hippocampal Neurons – J Neurosci. 2001 Jan 1; 21(1): 98–108. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-01-00098.2001
• Ipovitaminosi D e patologie neurodegenerative – G Gerontol 2012;60:127-133
• Association between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies – BMJ. 2013 Mar 26;346:f1169. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f1169.
• Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials – Fertil Steril . 2015 May;103(5):1278-88.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.02.019. Epub 2015 Mar 23.
• Vitamin D and muscle function – . 2002 Mar;13(3):187-94. doi: 10.1007/s001980200012.